Research park moves forward

City will use Notre Dame land near Edison and planned Twyckenham extension.

City will use Notre Dame land near Edison and planned Twyckenham extension.

December 24, 2005|JAMIE LOO Tribune Staff Writer

SOUTH BEND -- Plans for a research park are moving forward, but a little farther to the east. The city has accepted the University of Notre Dame's offer of land west of the planned Twyckenham Drive extension and south of Edison Road for the research park. The city's original proposal for the community research park was for 13 acres at the southeast corner of Edison Road and Eddy Street. The land the city wanted would be in conflict with university planned residential and mixed-used development. "We accept the location they've proposed for us, we're pleased with it and are eager to move forward and hopefully start turning some dirt next year," Mayor Stephen Luecke said. Luecke said the city received a letter from Notre Dame officials stating that they will set aside that land while the city develops a new design and business plan for the site. Sharon Kendall, executive director of community and economic development, said while the location of the park has changed, the mission hasn't. The "community research park" will be a collaboration between the city, Notre Dame and other groups such as Memorial Hospital and Project Future. The park will have space for research facilities and for businesses. Keeping the park close to Notre Dame is a component in making it successful so that faculty and researchers have better access to it. "The important issue is the partnerships that are there," Kendall said. "We're grateful to locate the park that close to Notre Dame." But a lot of work still is ahead. The site is a little smaller than the Edison Road and Eddy Street location and is on a more triangular plot, Kendall said. Architects will need to modify original plans for four two-story buildings to see what will fit into the new boundary lines along with infrastructure such as retention ponds. Kendall said along with the shape of the land, the terrain also is different. The other area was more wooded and the new site is much flatter. Luecke said they are talking to the deans of different schools at Notre Dame to find companies that might have an interest in the park and professors who would like to do research there. He said the city also is seeking involvement from the Purdue University technology school and Indiana University South Bend. Kendall said there is no timeline for when a business plan will be ready. The park will be different from other state technology parks, which are tied to public universities such as the Purdue University and Indiana University-Indianapolis parks. Kendall said the city is taking its time in the planning stages to make sure it builds a "sustainable and successful park." "We're cutting some new ground here and we want to do it right," Kendall said.Staff writer Jamie Loo: jloo@sbtinfo.com (574) 235-6337